Painting from Kogalniceanu's collection, gifted by Hitler, exhibited at a museum in Iași

Alexandru Chituță, manager of the “Moldova” National Museum Complex in Iași, has announced efforts to bring to the “Mihail Kogălniceanu” Museum a painting created in 1887 by Austrian artist Hans Makart. The work is believed to have been part of statesman Mihail Kogălniceanu’s collection and could be displayed as part of an exhibition dedicated to him.

According to Alexandru Chituță, the painting was reportedly in Kogălniceanu’s collection, most likely in Bucharest, before being sold in Germany through a major auction house. The painting later reportedly came into Adolf Hitler’s possession, and he allegedly gave it as a gift to a friend. The museum manager says there is a photograph showing Hitler standing in front of the work, while information about its provenance is recorded in the files of the Munich Pinakothek.

Representatives of the “Moldova” Museum Complex are examining the possibility of borrowing the work and displaying it at the memorial house in Iași. In the manager’s view, the initiative would enhance the museum’s prestige and bring the history of Mihail Kogălniceanu’s collection back to public attention. Chituță emphasizes that the painting’s journey, from the Romanian politician’s collection to Hitler, gives it special historical value.